01-08-2009, 04:58 PM
As it currently looks, the Brewers have the 4th best chance to top the Cubs in my opinion. CC carried them in the 2nd half, Sheets pitched well, Parra's record and ERA were a bit of luck when you look at the rest of his stats, and like HTC said, who is going to get them to the 9th inning? Gallardo's being asked to be the ace and carry the load, fine by me. Hopefully they ruin his arm. If they added another formidable starting pitcher and they find another good late inning reliever, things could change.
The Cards having a miracle run, or the Asstrolls playing the whole season like they do in the 2nd half is what could threaten the Cubs. Andy you brought up the Cards blown saves, but do we really think Ludwick, Lohse, and Wellemeyer repeat those performances? Maybe they do but I certainly wouldn't predict it. They'll at least be average though and likely hang in until August simply because they have one of the best hitters of all-time in his prime. The Astros lost Wigginton and will only cut salary, not add players the rest of the offseason.
The bottom of the division could get better with the Reds improving, but there <i>shouldn't</i> be anybody that can compete with the Cubs, if the Cubs play anything like they're capable of. Now we know we're talking about the Cubs, so you never know. This isn't at all praising the Cubs, it's really an awful division.
The Cards having a miracle run, or the Asstrolls playing the whole season like they do in the 2nd half is what could threaten the Cubs. Andy you brought up the Cards blown saves, but do we really think Ludwick, Lohse, and Wellemeyer repeat those performances? Maybe they do but I certainly wouldn't predict it. They'll at least be average though and likely hang in until August simply because they have one of the best hitters of all-time in his prime. The Astros lost Wigginton and will only cut salary, not add players the rest of the offseason.
The bottom of the division could get better with the Reds improving, but there <i>shouldn't</i> be anybody that can compete with the Cubs, if the Cubs play anything like they're capable of. Now we know we're talking about the Cubs, so you never know. This isn't at all praising the Cubs, it's really an awful division.
@TheBlogfines